Alen, Edmond

, a native of Norfolk, was
elected fellow of C. C. C. Cambridge in 1536, proceeded
M. A. the year following, became their steward in 1539,
and not long after obtained leave of the society to go and
study abroad for a limited time; which he afterwards procured to be extended for two years more. By assiduous
application he became, as Strype informs us, not only a
great proficient in the Greek and Latin tongues, but an
“eminent Protestant divine, and a learned minister of the
gospel.” His works, indeed, which are written with much
plainness and simplicity, but at the same time with great
strength of reasoning and argument, sufficiently shew that
he ought to be ranked in the list of the most considerable
reformers. This extraordinary merit, while it obliged him
to continue an exile during the reign of queen Mary, recommended him powerfully to the favour of her sister Elizabeth; who no sooner came to the crown than she appointed him one of her chaplains, gave him a commission
to act under her as an ambassador, and nominated him to
the vacant see of Rochester; but after a long absence, he
either died on his return, or soon after, and never became
possessed of the bishopric. It is said he was buried in the
church of St. Thomas Apostle, in London, Aug. 30, 1559.

He translated into English, “Alex. Alesium de authoritate verbi Dei,” 12mo, and “Phil. Melanch. super utraque
Sacramenti specie, et de authoritate Episcoporum,” 12mo,
1543, whilst abroad; as likewise “Conradum Pelicanum
super Apocalipsin.” He published “A Christian Introduction for youth, containing the principles of our faith
and religion,” 1548, and 1550, 12mo; 1551, 8vo, which
last may be the same with a “Catechism, that is to say, A
Christen instruction of the principall pointes of Christes
Religion,” then newly corrected and augmented by him.
Other translations are attributed to him. 1

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